You start the month in deep thought, focusing your attention on changes you wish to make in your own life. You’ll get a chance to do this early on, but it may require you to put some of your earlier dreams to rest. With six planets moving through water houses, you may be feeling more emotional and more sensitive to your environment. You want to make changes but are unsure of where to start. A voice from the past may reach out around the 7th, or you may feel compelled to reconnect with someone you haven’t heard from in a long time. You’ll want to treat your own relationship with kid gloves though as cracks are likely to form in even the most solid union up until the 25th. A full moon lunar eclipse takes place in your sign on the 18th, bringing you some much needed clarity. Ask yourself whether you’re where you want to be – in your personal life, in your relationships, and in your own evolutionary cycle. Now is the time to take stock of your progress and make necessary adjustments.

Steer clear from work-place politics this month. A nasty t-square involving Pluto, Uranus and the Sun is stretched across the sectors related to work, ideologies and hidden enemies for you – right from the start. You would do well to take the fifth when pushed into a corner; otherwise you’re likely to get caught in the cross-hairs. You’ve got a line-up of planets moving through your relationship sector, making this the perfect refuge for you from work-place conflicts. But it may not be that simple. While your relationships themselves may be free from drama, it’s going to be hard to sit back and watch others duke it out. Your ruler squares Uranus on the 10th and Pluto on the 16th. That week in particular may be rife with conflict. But a reassuring message from a loved between the 21st and 23rd should bring things back into focus. Work on fostering your relationships, as this is where your greatest strength lies. Stay out of the fray on the job and focus instead on what’s waiting for you at home.

Moon in Taurus: October 19, 20 and 21

Work takes center stage for you this month, with five planets moving through that sector at some point – including your ruler (Mercury) which will remain there until the first week of December. You may feel like you’ve got your hands full on the job but can get a lot accomplished during this time. It won’t be all work and no play for you though – as Venus (the love planet) will enter your relationship sector on the 7th. This provides at least a temporary reprieve – until Mercury turns retrograde on the 21st (just as the Moon moves into your sign) and has you retracing earlier steps. If you feel like you’re losing momentum, use this transit to revisit the progress you’ve made and make important revisions. Mercury and Saturn come together on then 8th and then again on the 29th. These are good dates to take a serious look at both work and health concerns. This can only be a good thing: either you uncover and deal with problems you should be dealing with anyway, or you start taking better care of yourself.

Moon in Gemini: October 21, 22 and 23

With 6 planets moving through your fifth house this month, you’ll be thinking about ways to best express your creative potential. You could be writing, painting, studying dance; or you could decide to step outside your comfort zone artistically during this time. You could also be working with children or helping others fine-tune their creative interests. This area is also associated with romance, and is highly active for you now. With all these planets in Scorpio – and with Mercury and Saturn coming together twice – you’re going to be putting more serious energy into these areas and have less time for fun and games. Your relationship rulers (Saturn and Pluto) are in mutual reception which is ordinarily a good thing. But because Pluto is involved in some hard aspects to other planets, you’re likely to be reassessing your own needs in this department. Your needs are in a state of flux though now, so resist the temptation to “lay it all on the line.” What seems so important to you at the beginning of the month may be vastly different by month’s end.

Moon in Cancer: October 23, 24, 25 and 26

Relationships may be “up in the air for” you for the better part of the month. With your ruler in stressful aspect to both Uranus and Pluto, you may feel like you’re walking through land-mines. Mars is also in your sign for the first two weeks, and is just coming out of a hard aspect to Venus. As compelled as you are to “make things happen,” the odds of making them worse increases if you do. Your best bet is to just lay low – at least where matters of the heart are concerned. If you want to funnel your energy into something constructive, see what needs to be done around the house. This is where you have the most intense planetary activity – with 4 planets (and later the Sun and Moon) transiting. Mercury goes retrograde there on the 21st, and the Sun joins in the following day. You can kill two birds with one stone: spending time with loved ones working on projects around the house. You’ll be rewarded in the weeks to come if you focus on home and family now.

Moon in Leo: October 1, 26, 27 and 28

There’s so much to do and only so many hours in the day to do it in; yet somehow you always seem to manage. This month should be no different, at least for the first few weeks. With a line-up of planets now moving through your third house, you’re going to be as busy as ever: interacting with others, particularly those in your neighborhood or community. This would be the perfect time to join forces with like-minded people, such as taking part in a volunteer effort or rallying people together to promote change. Mars moves into your sign on the 15th, at which time it will be next to impossible for you to sit still. You want to roll up your sleeves and be a part of something bigger than yourself, but can get impatient with those who are less motivated. You may end up carrying someone’s weight as a result — especially after Mercury goes retrograde on the 21st. Focus on your own goals and what you personally want to accomplish, even if that means letting everyone else fend for themselves.

Moon in Virgo: Oct 1, 2, 3, 28, 29, 30 and 31

You’re on the verge of “moving up” in the world. With both of your 6th house rulers (Jupiter and Neptune) favorably situated now and with a packed money house, both your career and your finances should be on the up-swing. This is a good time to take a serious look at your spending habits. You want to be putting money aside, not spending it frivolously. Don’t let someone try to talk you into bankrolling their get-rich-schemes either. You want to be as self-sufficient as possible: not relying on loans or credit to get you through the month. Mercury crosses Saturn in your financial sector twice this month (on the 8th and 29th). You’ll be thinking more seriously about making, saving and protecting your resources during this time. You’re poised for success – both professionally and financially. Relationships are a bit tricky for you though. The eclipse on the 18th falls across your relationship axis, bringing problems you may have ignored to the forefront. Be prepared for whatever upheavals present themselves at that time, so you can strengthen your connection and move forward.

Moon in Libra: October 3, 4 (New Moon), 5, 6 and 31

You may be feeling like you’re more in your element than ever this month, with six planets moving through your sign by month’s end – and with a total of nine moving through water signs. Mercury, Venus, Saturn and the North Node are all in Scorpio at the start of the month (followed later by the Sun and Moon). This is not say that everything will run like clock-work: not only is your ruler involved in a tense t-square aspect for the better part of the month, but Mercury will also retrograde in your sign (on the 21st). You can expect to run into a few snags or find yourself involved in power struggles, but you won’t be deterred from your goals. You’re not going to back down when faced with opposition. These transits can help to solidify your position, even if it’s not the most popular one. You’re moving toward gaining a better understanding of who you are and what you stand for. Use this time to flesh out your ideals as you prepare for the next chapter in your life.

Moon in Scorpio: October 6, 7 and 8

You’re going to be feeling a lot less sociable this month and a lot more introspective. With eight planets moving through cadent houses – those associated with “behind the scenes” activities – you’ll feel like staying closer to home, hanging out with loved ones or just spending time on your own. This has nothing to do with being lonely or feeling dejected; in fact it can mean just the opposite. It can serve as a welcome reprieve from all the noise, clutter and confusion that have distracted you from your goals. Your ruler (Jupiter) is moving through Cancer now – the sign of its exaltation. This – coupled with a 12th house Mercury retrograde – will not only open you up spiritually, but should increase your sensitivity to psychic influences. This would be a good time to start a journal or put together a dream board. You may also be more inspired artistically, or feel the urge to commune more with nature. You may not be visiting far off lands this month, but you’ll be journeying all the same.

Moon in Sagittarius: October 8, 9, 10 and 11

You’re forging new relationships with people who are going to play important roles in life. Your ruler (Saturn) is moving through your 11th house now along with several other planets. It’s also in mutual reception with Pluto, which is in your sign and has recently started moving forward again. All this is favorable for friendships, social connections and even looking at where you fit into the bigger picture. But you’re still not completely out of the water where your significant relationships are concerned. You’ll have to be careful with both family members and colleagues for a good part of the month. Loved ones may feel marginalized if you put too much effort into your work, and co-workers may question your dedication if you’re distracted by problems at home. You’ll have to find a way to satisfy both areas of your life or you could end up angering those who feel slighted. Don’t neglect the people you already have relationships with, and work on the new ones you’re building, as they can offer you much needed support.

Moon in Capricorn: October 10, 11 and 12

Pay attention to what you’re putting out there this month, and how it’s being interpreted by others. Even negative feedback can be helpful, as long as it’s reasonably constructive. With a line-up planets moving through your professional sector, you’ll be putting most of your energy into your career. But this area is also associated with your public reputation, and this is where you could run into some conflicts. Nobody says you have to allow people to put you down – you may just need to start eliminating the naysayers from your life entirely. But be careful not to use a heavy hand. You could also be a bit more sensitive to criticism right now and start lashing out at others indiscriminately. There’s a nasty t-square involving your ruler (Uranus), the Sun and Pluto at the start of the month. Between that and the eclipse hitting your communications axis on the 18th , it may not be possible to avert every show-down. But hear what’s being said with an objective ear and then you can make some informed decisions.

Moon in Aquarius: October 12, 13 and 14

You’re going to have to set better boundaries for yourself – this month in particular. With both of your rulers (Jupiter and Neptune) in water signs and with Mars spending most of the month in your relationship sector, it may be harder for you than normal not to let people take advantage of you. Neptune and Chiron are both now retrograde in your sign as well. Neither of these are the strongest “backbone” indicators; in fact they’re both all about making sacrifices for others, and even more-so when retrograde. Mars moves into your relationship sector on the 15th, opposes Neptune on the 19th and opposes Chiron on the 31st. Pay attention to these dates when you’re working on asserting your needs. It’s all about cooperation and collaboration, so make sure you’re not making all the concessions. In the meantime, there’s a line-up of planets moving through your 9th house. If you’re planning a trip, prepare for some hiccups, courtesy of Mercury retrograde. Otherwise, these transits are excellent for expanding your horizons, through education, spiritual pursuits and yes even travel.

Duncan Lance { There is a lot to keep in mind when getting a psychic reading. I particularly like that the article reminds readers that it has to be a two-way road. You need to keep an open mind and heart and they... } – Aug 31, 8:32 PM

Melodie { As for why Nov 22 is listed under Scorpio, it's because the Sun's ingress into a sign on the cusp can happen at different dates and times each year. It won't vary more than one day, but can add up... } – Aug 30, 6:29 PM